Race for a Place Band Contest

The 2008 Race For A Place will be held on Saturday, November 22 from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM as part of the Harvest Jamboree. The Race Champions will be announced during the banquet dinner that follows.

The purpose of the contest is to:

• Educate bands and the general public about what characteristics and talents are needed for prospective bands to perform well and get more and better engagements of any kind.

Entry Eligibility
1. To be eligible for the contest entry bands must be acts that have not previously won the contest..
2. To be eligible for contest entry bands must have a current band membership in MBOTMA at the time of entry.
3. The Harvest Jamboree must be allowed to use the name of all contest entry bands for advertising purposes.
4. All groups accepted for entry must pay a $25 entry fee and purchase their own general admission for band members.
5. All entry groups must be available and willing to fulfill the winning obligation of a Saturday main stage set during the next Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival.
6. Requests for entry must be made to the Contest Coordinator (Marty Marrone) by mail and the final selection of bands for contest entry will be determined by the Contest Coordinator.
7. All entry bands must have a representative present for the performance time drawing at 10:30 AM and be prepared to perform anytime between 12 Noon and 6PM on the day of the contest.

Judging
1. Each group will be allowed ten (10) minutes of on stage set-up time and twenty (20) minutes of performing time.

2. Judging will be performed by three judges who will score each group on the following criteria:
• Playing together and in time with each other.
• Playing in tune individually and together as a band. Singing in tune and blending vocally.
• Interaction with the audience, emcee work and connection to the audience.
• Stage presence, showmanship, and energy.
• Choice of repertoire, original material, and original spin on old tunes.
• Personal and performance appearance.
• Would you hire them to represent MBOTMA at the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival?

Prizes
1. The group with the highest overall score will be declared the Harvest Jamboree Race For A Place Champions (in case of a tie the judges will vote for a winner). The top prize will be a Saturday Main Stage set at the next Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival with band compensation of $800 (the performance fee will be paid upon completion of the winning group's fulfillment of the set) plus weekend festival admission for all band members.

2. The winning group will be invited to be recognized and/or perform during the post-contest dinner banquet program.

3. The groups with the next highest scores will be declared the First Runner Up and the Second Runner Up. These groups will be invited to fulfill the winning obligation and receive the $800 prize compensation should the winning band be unable or unwilling to do so.